title: Urinary epidermal growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and β2-microglobulin in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We demonstrated down-regulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and up-regulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the renal parenchyma in children who underwent pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). These findings were paralleled by urinary levels of EGF and MCP-1 before and after surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the urinary excretion of these cytokines and β2-microglobulin (β2M) in children with urine flow impairment at the ureteropelvic junction or who underwent pyeloplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six patients with UPJO and 30 normal children (CTRL) were enrolled in the study. The UPJO patients were divided into obstructive (12), functional (36), and operated (28). Epidermal growth factor, MCP-1, and β2M urinary levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and normalized to urine creatinine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary β2M and MCP-1 increased significantly in the UPJO groups compared with the CTRL and significantly improved in the operated group. The obstructive group displayed reduced EGF excretion compared with the CTRL group. The urinary (u)EGF/uMCP-1, and uEGF/uβ2M ratios significantly decreased in both untreated groups. In the operated group, these ratios improved significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study substantiates the role of urinary EGF, MCP-1, and β2M as markers of tubulointerstitial damage in human obstructive nephropathy. Furthermore, it suggests that surgical intervention is effective in the management of children with UPJO.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. bartolifabio@libero.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Penza
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aceto
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Niglio
authors.forename: Olinda
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: D'Addato
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Campanella
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magaldi
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lasalandra
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Bitonto
authors.forename: Loreto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gesualdo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014513:Ureter / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000151:congenital / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor